USA Baseball Gears Up For 2010 NTIS
National Team Identification Series to help organization select top talent across 13U, 15U, 17U age groups
(DURHAM, N.C.) – For the second year in a row, USA Baseball is proud to present the National Team Identification Series (NTIS) in 2010, once again offering the organization’s most comprehensive evaluation of talent ever in the 13U, 15U and 17U age groups.

As it was in 2009, the 2010 NTIS promises to be one of the most heavily-scouted and premier events of the fall calendar.  The event will consist of three separate age groups and a total of 648 players all competing for a chance to be selected by a 2011 USA Baseball National Team program’s trials.  The event will be held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and adjoining Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C. from Sept. 10-12, 2010.

“We could not have been happier with the success of the inaugural NTIS in 2009,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler.  “Much of the thanks and credit go to our regional directors – their regional programs have become an important part of identifying the top young baseball players in the country.  Everyone at USA Baseball is excited for the second installment of this great event.”

From the three separate 13U/15U/17U age groups, USA Baseball will name a minimum of eight players to the 2011 18U National Team Trials (18U); a minimum of eight players to the 2011 16U National Team Trials (16U); and a minimum of 24 players to the 2011 14U National

Team Trials.  While the NTIS is designed to supplement the existing programming being done at the 18U and 16U age groups, it will constitute the primary identification opportunity for the 14U National Team.

Albert Almora, star of two gold medal-winning 14U National Teams, a member of the 16U National Team and a veteran of the NTIS program, credits the event in helping him bring out the best in his game. “The NTIS was great competition,” Almora says.  “It really gave me something to work for.  There were a lot of kids trying out, so I knew I had to step it up and show what I’ve got.”

Almorasaysthat the NTIS prepared him for his summers with USA Baseball.  Experiences, he says, that he will never forget.

“It was the greatest thing that h

as ever happened to me, and I want to continue doing it for the rest of my life.”

Contact:  Nate Logan – This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , (919) 474-8721 x210   

For general program inquiries please contact Nate Logan at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by calling (919) 474-8721 x210.

For more information on how to get involved please visit USABaseball.com and click on the NTIS home page.

 National Team Identification Series Details on USA Baseball’s 2010 NTIS 

The 2010 USA Baseball National Team Identification Series (NTIS) will consist of three separate age groups and will feature a total of 648 players. The event will be held Sept. 10-Sept. 12, 2010, and will be held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and adjoining Thomas Brooks Park in Cary, N.C.

The three age groups (17U, 15U, 13U) within the 2010 event will be divided based on 2011 National Team (18U, 16U, 14U) aspirations. As per international guidelines, players competing in the NTIS in the three age groups must conform to the following:

• 2010 17U NTIS: born on or after Jan. 1, 1993, for the 2011 18U NT
• 2010 15U NTIS: born on or after Jan. 1, 1995, for the 2011 16U NT
• 2010 13U NTIS: born on or after Jan. 1, 1997, for the 2011 14U NT

From these three separate age groups, USA Baseball will name a minimum of eight players to the 2011 18U National Team Trials (18U); a minimum of eight players to the 2011 16U National Team Trials (16U); and a minimum of 24 players to the 2011 14U National Team Trials. While the NTIS is designed to supplement the existing programming being done at the 18U and 16U age groups, it will constitute the primary identification opportunity for the 14U National Team.

Activities will start on Friday morning, Sept. 10, and will be scheduled to finish by mid-day on Sunday, Sept. 12. Each team within the 17U and 15U age groups will play a total of three 9-inning games, while the 13U age group will feature four 7-inning games; programming for all age groups will also include USA Baseball instruction and training. The NTIS will present all participating athletes not only with great national exposure but also with an opportunity to develop their skills through an unparalleled baseball experience.

Of the participating organizations in the event, eleven of the twelve teams within each age group will be organized on a “regionalizedclub-team” basis, similar to the USA Baseball 16U Championships (formerly known at the USA Junior Olympic Baseball Championships). Existing baseball programs which have previously entered teams into the 16U Championships and the 2009 NTIS have been selected to fill these slots withentryfees defraying some of the costs of the event and the 2011 USA Baseball 18U, 16U and 14U National Teams. As with the 16U Championships, these various baseball programs will be responsible for identifying and selecting 18-player teams which will participate in the event.

Similar to the USA Baseball Tournament of Stars, USA Baseball will select one of the twelve teams within each age group — as “at-large teams.” USA Baseball will rely on its National Member Organizations, existing events, and other entities, as well as its established athlete database to identify players for the two USA Baseball at-large teams in each age group (three total). As part of this initiative, USA Baseball will encourage the inclusion of all athletes when filling roster spots for the at-large teams.

NTIS Features:

• Identification opportunity for the 2011 USA Baseball 18U National Team Trials; all players must be born 1993 or later.
• Identification opportunity for the 2011 USA Baseball 16U National Team Trials; all players must be born 1995 or later.
• Primary identification opportunity for the 2011 USA Baseball 14U National Team Trials; all players must be born in 1997 or later.
• Individual skills testing and evaluation.
• 17U and 15U teams will play three nine-inning games.
• 13U teams will play four seven-inning games.
• To be announced guest speakers.
• Participants will receive a USA Baseball hat and gift bag.
• College and university coaches, and professional scouts will be in attendance.
• Event held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex — the home of Team USA.

NTIS Schedule*:

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010
1-4 p.m.: Team Practices
7 p.m.: Guest Speakers

Friday, Sept. 10, 2010
8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.: Individual Skills Testing/Evaluation/Games

Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010
8 a.m.-8 p.m.: Games

Sunday, Sept. 12, 2010
8 a.m.-4 p.m.: Games
(*schedule is tentative and is subject to change)

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